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Wednesday, July 25, 2007

My mother has reached an age where she it is hard to buy her something for her birthday. We have given her photo albums in years past but they have become hard for her to pick up and hold. Her tables are covered with framed pictures of family members. So this year we decided to give her an electronic picture frame.

I set up a new g**gle account and then a new Picasa Web album. I uploaded some pictures that I had and then I shared the password with other family members so that they could add any pictures that they wanted included. When everyone was done we had over 350 pictures. The card for the frame will hold many more pictures so we can add to it at any time. We can continue to share pictures with each other at Picasa, an added benefit for us. The pictures are in no particular order, some are very old and others quite recent.

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Researching my husband's ancestry has been tough. The initial stumbling block was a lack of interest by any other member of the family. I interviewed both of my sisters-in-law and both were 100% certain that their grandfather was Generino Nardozzi so I had a starting point.

I entered what they had given me and since it wasn't my line I just let it sit for a long time. My sister-in-law found her copy of Fedele - Capadano - Nardozzi, As prepared by Phylis Fedele Fiorica (1991, Privately Published) and it confirmed what they had told me. I did a lot more data entry, found some census records but struck out at the Ellis Island site. Both the 1930 census and the SSDI gave his name as Gennaro Nardozzi.

Then one of the Uncles mentioned that the name had originally been Nardozza. He said that the named was changed during "the war" so it wouldn't appear that the family was from the wrong part of Italy. I searched for Gennaro Nardozza and found - too many! Based on Mrs. Fiorica's work he must have arrived 1906 or earlier which left three possible entries. Of the three, one was joining his Uncle - Leonardo Capadano (his mother's brother). I have now found most of the US records for this branch of the family.

I know that the family came from Rionero in Vulture, Province of Potenza, Basilicata Region, Italy. I don't speak or read Italian and really have no idea where to go from here so it will probably sit on the shelf until I find some motivation to dig deeper. I certainly have enough other projects to keep me busy for years!

Saturday, July 7, 2007

The Making of Modern Michigan is a collaborative project involving more than 50 Michigan libraries. It includes local history materials from communities around the state. Michigan's unique heritage is represented through photographs, family papers, oral histories, genealogical materials, and much more.

As of January 2005, MMM includes contributions from 36 libraries. Collections from another 15 libraries are in the works and will be available soon.

The Making of Modern Michigan is headed by the Michigan State University Libraries, in partnership with the Library of Michigan, the Michigan Library Consortium, and the 50+ libraries currently participating in the project.

I found the records for Oakridge Cemetery, Buchanan, MI there. When I looked at the collection they had a surprising number of genealogy and history resources available. The search feature worked well. I think I could spend quite a bit of time poking around the site.

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Researching my family tree has made American history personal and therefore very interesting for me. From the early settlers that cleared the land to those that fought in the Revolutionary War, to the westward expansion after the war and those that settled the country like Tamesin Hall. I'm proud to have Hannah Glover in my tree, she served as a nurse during the Civil War and then worked for the Freedmen's Bureau. Her nephew (my great grandfather) rode with the Michigan Calvary. My grandfather served during WWI.

My parents met while serving in the Navy so if it weren't for family patriotism I wouldn't be here today. My father's parents immigrated from Canada. Grandpa became a citizen and Grandma clung to her green card but there was never any doubt that Dad was an American. I was raised to respect the flag and to be grateful for all the rights and freedoms that we have as Americans. As much as I love to travel and see new places I can't imagine living anywhere else.

Monday, July 2, 2007

For the last couple of months I've been quite overwhelmed with commitments. The end of the school year is always busy for me with charter trips and my grandkids end of the year activities. The Training Bus that I'm involved with has become a second part time job, that didn't end with June. All of the snow finally melted and my garden has to be tended. Quite frankly after this past winter I want to be outside every minute that I can.

I have tried, unsuccessfully, to keep up with all of the genealogy blogs. I'm hoping to get caught up soon but one the the great features of blogs are the archives that will still be there for me to mine when October roles around.

My passion for genealogy has always suffered when life gets busy but my ancestors will still be there when I get back to looking for them.